Students, faculty present at ASA
0By JT Harmon
Students and faculty from the University of Pikeville visited East Tennessee State University in Johnson City to attend the 38th annual Appalachian Studies Association Conference. The conference is made up of academic and creative sessions that focus on the topic of Appalachia. Seniors Cari Moore, Ariq Skinner, Kayli Johnson, and Jamie Johnson all presented original pieces of creative nonfiction.
Amanda Jo Runyon, instructor of developmental English, and Dr. Charles Johnson, assistant professor of English, also attended the conference.
“The Appalachian Studies Association is very dear to me,” Runyon said. “I attend the conference every year and always look forward to being around others who are as passionate about Appalachia as I am. This year was extra special because I got to share that experience with students. Their presentations were an excellent addition to the conference.”
Runyon also presented at the conference. She was part of a panel of female Appalachian authors. During their presentation, titled “Voice Lessons,” Runyon and the other panelists read from their original work and spoke on the topic of finding voice in creative writing.